Phobias :

Social Phobias and Social Anxiety –

Fear of blushing,  sweating,  stammering/ stuttering,  confrontation,  meetings,  social situations / small talk,  criticism,  rejection,  public speaking.

Fears related to acute anxiety or panic attacks –

Fear of being or going insane,  Fear of heart attack / physical illness through anxiety,  choking or suffocating,  vomiting,  death,  losing control,  fainting or collapsing,  Fear of not being able to escape to a safe place or person,  Fear of loss of bowel control.

Fear of Objects,  Situations or Activities –

Fear of  flying,  dogs,  spiders,  general anaesthetic,  claustrophobia ( fear of confined spaces ),  fear of public transport,  fear of driving,  exams,  dentist / dental surgery,  being alone,  heights,  bridges,  driving test,  injections,  fear of the dark.

Phobias are extremely common and are experienced by 11% of the population at some time in their lives.  Some are very common for example the fear of spiders or flying or a fear of the dentist and some are less common for example fear of fainting or collapsing or fear of medication.  I have listed some phobias above however there are many more for example I worked with a client recently who had a fear of sand which was having a serious affect on family holidays and was infact starting to have a wider affect on her life in general.  Most people get afraid from time to time.  For some of us though certain fears and phobias can dominate out thinking and control portions of our lives. 

Whatever your phobia is it can be debilitating. 

A phobia may have arisen as a result of a traumatic experience or slowly crept into your life over a period of time.   It’s even possible that the root cause or beginning of your phobia is unknown to you but the reality of it is that it’s present in your daily life.  Whatever the reason the symptoms of your phobia can seriously impact the quality of your life.

Phobias can be broken down into three types –Simple Specific Phobias eg.  fear of spiders / fear of flying

Social Phobias eg. fear of social incompetence or embarrassment

Agorophobia eg the fear of a difficult or embarrassing situation from which you cannot escape usually related to panic attacks or acute anxiety.

Hypnotherapy for phobias is very effective.  In a discussion recently with a GP about his opinions and thoughts about hypnosis and hypnotherapy ( Dr G R Hudson – Senior Partner ) he said that he believed hypnotherapy to be especially effective with regards to phobias.  He had seen good results with patients and commented that large organisations also seem to be acknowledging it – apparently Virgin offer hypnotherapy ( he presumed travellers would have to pay for the sessions ) to groups of people who are contemplating a long haul flight but who have a Fear of Flying. 

 During my hypnotherapy sessions I teach clients effective relaxation techniques then show you / teach you how to use them by yourself until you are confident.  This will increase your self – confidence and calm the situation down.  We can then work on giving you a sense of control.  We will work together until you are confident using these new techniques both with me and on your own – I very much encourage practise of the techniques outside of the therapy sessions since practise not only improves the effectiveness of the techniques but also gives you the power yourself over your phobia.  Once we have established that you are happy with these techniques we will work closely with your phobia using Neuro Linguistic Programming ( NLP ) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ( CBT ) and Hypnosis to really find out everything there is to know that is relevant or that you wish to share about your phobia so that we both understand it and where it originated from and how it has evolved.  You will never have to share any information that you do not wish to share and I assure total confidentiality at all times. 

Many people do not know what to expect from hypnosis however there are some rules:

- During hypnosis the client never loses control

- A hypnotherapist will only amplify your own will power

- After hypnotherapy there is no loss of memory – I often repeat a great quote : that ‘ hypnotherapy is like shaking one of those snow storm ornaments you may have had as a child.  Some of it ( the therapy ) lands ( connects with your mind ) straight away,  some later and some eventually…..’

( David Holmes – Training Alliance Group 2011 )

Remember – you put your phobia there so you can take it away too.

Just as you Learned your current behaviour,  equally you can unlearn it. 

Once we understand your fear / your phobia we will look at any associated fears you may have and work out which are the most powerful and grade them.

Finally we ( you and I together – this is all about teamwork ) will systematically desensitise you to those fears using hypnosis and deep relaxation by having you imagine being in certain situations and rehearsing them in your imagination.  By rehearsing them and looking at them / feeling them / thinking about them / hearing anything of relevance to the surroundings in a different and safe way you will gain control over them and build up a new automatic reflex of natural calmness.  You will develop a normal rather than oversensitive response.

The method of systematic desensitisation has a long history of effectiveness in clinical studies and by combining this with hypnosis we can achieve positive,  permanent results more rapidly.

A phobia is a learned response – A Habit.  A habit which has developed over time and a habit which is now a subconscious action.  Just as with any other habit,  you do not perform it on a conscious level so you are not aware of the emotions associated with it surfacing.  This habit is buried in your subconscious mind and that is where we need access to break your phobic habit. 

Hypnotherapy will break the habit of your phobia.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ( CBT ) can be especially effective for fears and phobias as it helps you to change the way in which you feel,  think and behave.  Together ( you and I ) will challenge your negative beliefs and thoughts which currently fuel and create your current behaviour towards what makes you fearful.  It is your thoughts and beliefs of a probable outcome,  or your thoughts and beliefs about present situations or other peoples actions which produce your phobic or fearful symptoms.  Once you are able to look at an event or impending event in a new and positive way without the interference of dysfunctional sabotaging thoughts then the levels of your phobia will start to recede and over time they will disperse.

Treatment length –

Single session fast phobia techniques are available and for some people who are prepared to practise the techniques they are effective – if you are interested in learning more please read my blog on my own Fear of needles and fast phobia ‘ cures.’  Whilst you may be aware of a considerable improvement from a single session I usually recommend a course of three to ensure a longer lasting effect and often permanent freedom from your fear of phobia.

If you would like to work with me please give me a call.  There will be no obligation to book an appointment – we can discuss what you would like to change in your life and how it can be done.   Fiona : 07968 106113

Contact : Fiona 07968 106113.  I look forward to working together.

If you are interested – I am writing a blog about the fear I used to have of needles / blood / medical detritus and the effectiveness of hypnotherapy and self hypnosis on this phobia.  Please see my blog page.